Sanwo-Olu commissions 744 homes in Sangotedo

LAGOS, Nigeria – In line with his administration’s commitment to bridge the housing deficit and create affordable accommodation for residents, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday commissioned and delivered 744 home units at LagosHOMS Sangotedo Housing Scheme Phase I in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the various homes being delivered to the public in the last two and half years is the administration’s way of building bridges and promoting the emergence of new communities that are resilient and responsive to both communal and individual aspirations.

The 744 home units in LagosHOMS Sangotedo Housing Scheme (Phase 1), which is the largest housing scheme to be completed by the present administration comprises 62 blocks of 12 homes each made up of a total of 248 one-bedroom, 248 two-bedrooms and 248 three bedrooms apartments.

The gated estate also has car park space for 492 cars within compounds and 406 at the general car park, external electrification provided from the National grid with an injection station of 15MVA and seven transformers of 500KVA capacity, water treatment and supply with a storage capacity of 192m3 and 680m3 capacity for the overhead and groundwater tanks respectively, sewage system with a treatment capacity of 650m3 per day, street lights and 792 meters of dual carriageway and 856 metres of single carriageway.

Speaking at the commissioning of the housing project, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the event is a celebration of his administration’s commitment to fulfilling the promise the incumbent government made to Lagosians to reduce the housing deficit in the State by enhancing access to decent and affordable accommodation.

The Governor also disclosed that Lagos State Government is set to implement the enforcement of a monthly tenancy on property occupancy from next year.

He said: “As we can all observe in this housing estate and others that we have commissioned in various parts of the State; we don’t only build houses, we create homes in livable communities. We provide supporting infrastructure within the environment to add value to the lives of our people.

“We promote a sense of togetherness that transcends our tribal, religious and political differences. This is our own way of building bridges and promoting the emergence of new communities that are resilient and responsive to both communal and individual aspirations.”

Speaking on his administration’s plan to reduce rent burden through a monthly tenancy agreement scheme, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his government is determined to cater for numerous others who may not have plans or the ability to own homes, but have immediate needs for decent shelter. 

He said: “We are at an advanced stage at enacting what we call the Lagos monthly tenancy agreement scheme. It is a scheme we are ready to develop with some of our financial institutions to be able to have a pull of funds where beneficiaries that are current tenants who are living in houses with flats but who are challenged to pay a yearly rent, would be able to approach the scheme and the scheme would help them pay their one year rent to the landlord. This will ensure that they don’t come cap in hand to borrow.

“We will look at the tenant’s salary or income and there will be a repayment plan on a monthly basis based on the scheme. The landlord would be happy because he has met his own scheme and the tenant will also be happy because he or she doesn’t need to rush to an uncle or aunty to meet up with a yearly rent.”  

Governor Sanwo-Olu while speaking on his administration’s plan for those who cannot benefit from the Lagos State housing schemes, said the State Government is deepening its activities in the area of land allocation and speeding up the formalisation procedures for land acquisition and proper title.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said there should be orderliness and sanity in the housing sector, promising to tackle the problem of land grabbing and prevent the citizens from obtaining improper title on the land they are buying from various communities.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said the continuous provision of decent homes for the residents of Lagos State has become a hallmark of distinction of the present administration led by Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu.

“Within the past 26 months, in line with its pledge and mandate, the State Government has delivered 14 housing schemes in various parts of the State. In addition to the ones delivered, there are still other schemes that are virtually ready and waiting in the wings to be released to the people.

“This transformational drive which is based on the THEMES agenda is powered by the passion to sustain and surpass the status of excellence already achieved by our dear State. And it is definitely an all-encompassing and continuous work as can be seen in all areas of endeavours in the State. This yearning for further improvement is constantly fueled by an innate and unified desire of the leadership to give the best to the people at all times,” he said.

The Commissioner for Housing also spoke on Phase II of the LagosHOMS Sangotedo Housing Scheme, which according to him when delivered will be an additional 444 homes to the housing scheme in the area to impact greatly on the housing deficit statistics in the area.

Hon. Akinderu-Fatai also encouraged Lagosians to continue to support the State Government in all ways, noting that “Our taxes and other positive involvements provide the necessary ingredients for progressive and peaceful governance. I know that with our vibrant support, our Governor will continue to fulfill his mandate to the good people of the State,” he said.